1998 Volvo Penta SX Hydraulic Cylinder Leak!

[FargenNewbee]

Help!
I have a 1998 Volvo Penta SX Cobra (5.0GL Engine) Hydraulic Cylinder Leak!
I have looked everywhere for a rebuild seal kit but even Sierra Technical support don't have anything.

The is coming from one of the cylenders right where the shaft comes out of the cylinder...very slow small leak. I understand you should replace these in pairs, but at ~$400 ea to replace it seems like HWY robbery.

So what i am looking for is a seal rebuild kit to rebuild both cylinders.
(Maybe if I could find them cheep enough I'd replacee the whole thing.)

Is there an aftermarket or other cylinder which will work?
Any help would be great.

(I am a decent mechanic and I have tackled tougher things in my day.
Even though I have not rebuilt these before and short of a couple of special tools or help from a local shop cracking these open, I should be able to handle it.)

 

[mikeneal]

Re: 1998 Volvo Penta SX Hydraulic Cylinder Leak!

I had exact same situation and I also was very disappointed that nobody sells the pieces to rebuild them. My cylinder shaft had some pitting of the chrome plating , which is what caused my seals to fail. I made a spanner wrench to disassemble the cylinder , was easy, a flat piece of 1/4 bar stock with a mouse hole to clear the shaft and two dowels pressed in at right locations. I can measure it up and take a pic if you want. Then I had the shaft stripped and Nickel plated. I was able to get the seals from local hydraulic store (took the old ones with me). Entire process was fairly easy .

 

[billbayliner]

Re: 1998 Volvo Penta SX Hydraulic Cylinder Leak!

I was able to get the seals from local hydraulic store (took the old ones with me). Entire process was fairly easy .

As Mike said. Go get a new lip seal from a local industrial supplier.

 

[FargenNewbee]

Re: 1998 Volvo Penta SX Hydraulic Cylinder Leak!

Thanks Gents. I figured as much...and ya if anyone has somwe pictures of the correct tool, that would be much appreciated.

I have contacted several cylinder repair shops and most do large industrial repair and maintenance but would be willing to order me something if they knew what I needed.

Two more questions if I may:
1) I have a service manual, but it only mentions the cylinders in 1-2 paragraph and hardly enough to make me feel comfortable with a rebuild. Don't suppose there are any service diagrams or maintenance info on this?

2) Does anyone have any technical specs on the replacement seals and gaskets I will need? If a kit is not available then maybe a list of what i should replace while I am looking at it...or should I be satisfied with the front seals on both and call it a day.

3) (ok I lied 3 questions ) Any tricks to bleading the cylinders after the rebuild to get all the air out? I know Air=Bad.


Thanks for your time.
Andrew

 

[mikeneal]

Re: 1998 Volvo Penta SX Hydraulic Cylinder Leak!

No special tools required. The end cap is just threaded on it's OD so once you have spanner that is easy. The piston seal stack is held to the shaft with peen-ed over nut, very obvious how it comes apart once you get the shaft outta the housing. I will take a picture of my spanner and post.

Hardest part was my stainless lines had some galvanic corrosion where they thread into the trim cylinder. I would start to spray that down with PB Blaster or your favorite penetrating oil for soaking. It is tough not knowing what anyone mechanical aptitude is, but it sure sounds like you have more then enough skills to perform it, just take you time and pay attention. If you are doing both sides, do one side at a time so you can look at other as reference if things go real badly. (A trick my dad taught me about 100 years ago doing rear brakes on my 1st car. )


There is no "kit" as far i could find. The outer most seal is a single lip dust seal, the actual oil seal is a o-ring, I just took it all to hydraulic place and they matched it up.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: 1998 Volvo Penta SX Hydraulic Cylinder Leak!

I have contacted several cylinder repair shops and most do large industrial repair and maintenance but would be willing to order me something if they knew what I needed.

Do not go to the repair shop. Go to the industrial supplier where they purchase there items. If you are in a small town then yes, I see your dilema. As long as the cylinder is not an absolute odd ball diameter and shaft size then parts should be very simple to find for a hydraulic cylinder.

Let me know the area you are in and the trim cylinder diameter and I will try and find something for you.

Bill